Theo Paphitis insists this tomorrow's FA Cup Final is a chance for Millwall to reinvent themselves in a new image and leave the dark days of football violence well and truly behind.

The Lions head into English football's showpiece event for the first time in their 119-year history aiming to cast off an unwanted reputation and show the world they have changed for the better.

No one has done more to eradicate the blight of hooliganism which has long dogged the south London club than its chairman, and Paphitis believes the transformation will be complete if they can avoid trouble in Cardiff.

"An image is exactly what it is. I drew a line under it a long time ago. Other people still haven't.

"The Cup Final has certainly put the club in the limelight for exactly the right reasons.

"This game will be shown all around the world, it will put Millwall's name in the frame and hopefully attract some new supporters. There's been lots of bad publicity but we've just got to do what we're doing and let our achievements on and off the pitch do our talking for us."

Paphitis introduced a membership scheme in the wake of the riots outside the Den which followed Millwall's play-off defeat by Birmingham two years ago.

Since then, arrests around the ground have plummeted and last season only two people were arrested for offences of football violence.

Millwall set alarm bells ringing across the continent by qualifying for next season's Uefa Cup because their cup final opponents Manchester United are in the Champions League.

But assistant manager Ray Wilkins insists Europe has nothing to fear when Lions fans travel abroad to support their team.

He said: "People ask if Europe should fear our supporters next year and you have to say no they shouldn't."